I’m sure you are aware of food trucks. You might even be lucky enough to work by a few that offer delicious daily specials only a few steps away. But if you are like the majority of New Jerseyians, food trucks aren’t on your daily path or even near your daily path for that matter. Your familiarity ends with the notion that they are featured on food shows and can be found in large cities and college campuses. Well, this just might be your lucky day! That is, of course, if you live in or around Middlesex County. Here, in Edison to be precise, you will find Lombardi Pizza Co Pizza Truck. And if you can put this place along your daily commute, you should ASAP because it is an experience you will be thankful for.
Situated on a property across the street from the Menlo Park Mall, Peter Lombardi prepares pizza unlike any you’ve had delivered lately. His pizza is Neapolitan style. For those who need an explanation, this makes for a pizza that cooks in less than two minutes at a temperature that ranges between 800 and 900 degrees. The charred crust is the telling feature that makes the pizza distinct. These blistered edges are down-right delicious and offer incredible texture. Another feature of the pizza is the dough. Peter explains that the dough is different than usual pizza in that it cooks so quickly. In the span of two minutes, the dough transforms into an overall crust that is delicate yet hearty, while having a unique taste.
The truck opened this past July and Peter already has familiar faces stopping by. He feels people admire the taste, one in which they can’t find nearby. Although he has regulars either calling in for a pie or pulling up alongside, he realizes the affect of weather on his business. He thought the Holiday season would have been better being that he is located next to a large mall, but due to cold December temperatures he didn’t do as well as expected. He posts his vending schedule on his Facebook page and can be found on Twitter as well. But with the winter barely upon us, he is quite weather dependent.
We, my husband and I, recently stopped by on a freezing 31 degree day and were impressed to see quite a number of customers braving the cold to order a pie. Ordering a whole pie, by the way, is the only way to purchase, so no slices available. After reviewing the chalkboard menu, we ordered the Margarita and the hot soppressata pizzas ($10.00 each). They were ready in 5 minutes and handed to us in two small cardboard boxes, torn a bit to release the steam, along with plates and napkins. Did we wait to get home to dig in? No way, we cranked up the heat in the car and got to business!
Simple, delicate, distinctive and just delicious was the verdict on these pies. The Margarita indeed had the salty and creamy mozzarella that I craved while the hot soppressata was true to its name. The sweet basil and drizzle of rich olive oil, on both pies, paired nicely with the fresh mozzarella. The tomato sauce was kept simple, yet nicely defined and slightly seasoned. Like this style of pizza is defined, what I truly admired was the crust. It was light and airy yet browned just enough to intensify the flavor. They were two great pizzas that had so little ingredients, however so much flavor. In other words, pizza so good I forgot I was eating it over my steering wheel!
Also interesting to note, his pizza truck is available to rent for corporate events, birthday parties, barbeques, etc. Rates are available on his website. Being that he opened in the middle of last summer, Peter is optimistic for summer 2012. But if you aren’t looking to rent the truck this summer, you can still enjoy the pizzas on the tables he sets out for warm summer days and nights. Not a bad idea if you ask me. However for now, there are two options: brave the cold or call in a pie. Either way, you’re in for a nice treat. In the future, look for his new pizza boxes that will instruct buyers on how to reheat their pies after sitting in the box for too long. Currently though, a good tear in the box is his remedy and, after eating it this way, I have absolutely no complaints!
Lombardi Pizza Co. can be found on Parsonage Road, across the street from the Menlo Park Mall and Panera Bread. Information can also be found on the website, http://www.lombardipizzaco.com/.
Gina Glazier is a born and raised Jersey Girl. She recently earned her Master’s degree in Reading & Literacy and currently teaches 5th grade. Gina lives with her husband Matt who is her number one fan and shares in her passion for the culinary arts, minus the cooking part! Her “culinary life” became a reality a few years back when she was chosen to be a guest of The Star Ledger’s Munchmobile. This ignited Gina’s desire to be around food and all its counterparts all the time, meaning restaurants, cookbooks, TV shows, cooking, etc. Gina says her “biggest and most monumental experience” was being a part of The Star Ledger’s Pizza Patrol two years ago where she traveled the entire state, eating at 3, 4, sometimes 5 pizzerias a night for just about 6 months! You can check out her Hungry Teacher adventures, on her blog www.ahungryteacher.blogspot.com.
